Olympic National Park Visitor Center
Olympic National Park Visitor Center
Olympic National Park Visitor Center
4.5
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- Grover RPensacola, Florida22,266 contributionsBest VC in the ParkOlympic NP has several VCs and several park signs. However, the one that seems the most authentic to the park and the best is located in Port Angeles on the road to Hurricane Hill. We stopped here for pictures, souvenirs and restroom after our hike at Hurricane Ridge. One of my favorite things here is a relief map of the Washington Peninsula that better illustrates the mountains and how they shape the area. Finally, they have a park sign here which we added to our collection. Good place to stop and visit but I would stop either the day before visiting or after going to Hurricane Ridge to avoid morning traffic into the park with limited parking.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten December 27, 2023
- cohomanSammamish, Washington2,391 contributionsNice Visitor CenterThis is the main visitor center for the Olympic National Park, located in Port Angeles. They have maps, souvenirs, Park Passport stamps, and park rangers available to answer questions. In the summer the main parking lot can get full, but there is a smaller overflow lot just down the hill.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 28, 2024
- Tansy2015Michigan408 contributionsCloses promptly at 4:00 pm. No bathroom facilities after closing even though they are outsideNice small exhibit area. Good place to start as they will give you information about the area with Maps and their interpretive center. Get your passport stamps here, don’t forget your book like we did! They close the roads when there is too much traffic so make sure to read the science or ask inside before you go. When they close the bathrooms outdoors are closed as well.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 6, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,005 reviews
Excellent
700
Very good
243
Average
55
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Mister
Jupiter, FL5 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
The Olympic National park is so inferior to many other National Parks I have visited. The Visitor Centers are shabby and I informative. The parks have 2-3 hour waits with no signage or warning. Haphazard construction every where. Would not recommend. Not worth the time or money.
Written July 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudette C
Washington2,611 contributions
Sep 2021 • Friends
This was a stop on a recent road trip. It seemed like we were driving quite awhile then finally arrived at the very large visitor center.
There is a lot of information about the park, the area plus history with a lot of people on hand to answer questions. The gift store was large and diverse so lots to chose from. Finally, the rest rooms were very clean-not an easy feat given the number of people there
There is a lot of information about the park, the area plus history with a lot of people on hand to answer questions. The gift store was large and diverse so lots to chose from. Finally, the rest rooms were very clean-not an easy feat given the number of people there
Written November 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL22,266 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Olympic NP has several VCs and several park signs. However, the one that seems the most authentic to the park and the best is located in Port Angeles on the road to Hurricane Hill. We stopped here for pictures, souvenirs and restroom after our hike at Hurricane Ridge. One of my favorite things here is a relief map of the Washington Peninsula that better illustrates the mountains and how they shape the area. Finally, they have a park sign here which we added to our collection. Good place to stop and visit but I would stop either the day before visiting or after going to Hurricane Ridge to avoid morning traffic into the park with limited parking.
Written December 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda H
Plano, TX504 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
We loved our trip to Olympic National Park in June 2021. We based ourselves in Port Angeles. The temperatures were lovely..60s and low 70s. We spent 2 days in the park exploring Hoh Rain Forest and Rialto Beach, then Hurricane Ridge and Crescent Lake.
Written January 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tansy2015
Michigan408 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Nice small exhibit area. Good place to start as they will give you information about the area with Maps and their interpretive center. Get your passport stamps here, don’t forget your book like we did! They close the roads when there is too much traffic so make sure to read the science or ask inside before you go. When they close the bathrooms outdoors are closed as well.
Written May 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cohoman
Sammamish, WA2,391 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
This is the main visitor center for the Olympic National Park, located in Port Angeles. They have maps, souvenirs, Park Passport stamps, and park rangers available to answer questions. In the summer the main parking lot can get full, but there is a smaller overflow lot just down the hill.
Written March 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian E
Santa Rosa, CA477 contributions
Sep 2021
We had visions of long hikes and mountain tops in our minds when we visited the Visitor Center. The ranger tolerated our outpouring of unbridled anticipation and then, quietly, pointed her finger at the video streaming from that same mountain top. No mountain. No top. Just fog. We looked at each other and then at her and uttered, "How about a Plan B?" She then directed us to amazing sites well beneath the cloudline, where spent hours of amazing exploration.
Written October 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LAOPBO
14 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
This area has not been heavily promoted and is absolutely stunning. There is so much to see in and around the northern and western coasts. Volcanoes, stunning views of mountains and volcanoes, incredible sea stacks in the sea, whales and a few seals, colorful beaches at low tide with sea life in full view that you have never seen before. Fabulous hikes, cool lighthouses, beautiful wildflowers. Hundreds of deer and a few bears! An easy trip to Victoria, British Columbia, the most beautiful city we have ever seen, like in a storybook. We have travelled all of the US and this area has more diversity than any other we have seen.
Written December 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dean92802
Anaheim, CA96 contributions
Oct 2019
As soon as I exited the car there were deer 25 feet away. The facility is clean and modern. The staff was well versed on what we could see based on our time limit and even suggested a great shoreline we could visit outside the park.
Written October 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jjmail94526
Danville. CA95 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
The drive up to Hurricane Ridge is gorgeous and breath taking. Roads are along steep drops and serpentine up the mountain.
Local wildflowers where in bloom.
Found parking at the visitor center at the top of the road.
Visitor center is well laid out with huge windows to take in the view. Downstairs there is a gift shop, restrooms and small snack shop.
This is a great location to bring a picnic and go hiking.
While I didn't go on the hiking trails the view from the visitor center was well worth the drive.
Please note, at the time of this review, there is road work going on and traffic can be delayed and backed up for some ways.
Local wildflowers where in bloom.
Found parking at the visitor center at the top of the road.
Visitor center is well laid out with huge windows to take in the view. Downstairs there is a gift shop, restrooms and small snack shop.
This is a great location to bring a picnic and go hiking.
While I didn't go on the hiking trails the view from the visitor center was well worth the drive.
Please note, at the time of this review, there is road work going on and traffic can be delayed and backed up for some ways.
Written July 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
can you tour Olympic Natl in a day if you had to?
Written February 21, 2018
Just the driving distances involved in getting to each destination would keep you from visiting all of the places within Olympic National Park in one day. I completely agree with the suggestion that if you only have one day, go to Hurricane Ridge. Beautiful hiking, incredible views. In two days, we visited three locations - Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rain Forest, and Ruby Beach. Each was phenomenal, in very different ways. We could easily have spent much more time fully exploring all of these places. I would suggest that you read the "places to go" section of Olympic's website, see what appeals to you the most, go there first, and take it from there.
Written February 22, 2018
Tips for traveling to Olympic National Park Visitor Center in mid-November?
Written September 25, 2017
The ONP visitors center is under major renovations until summer of 2018. It will be open in prefab conditions tho. Restrooms etc.suggest taking a lunch to The Ridge ,driving past lodge and where the restrooms are take a short walk to picnic tables and a fabulous view to Mt. Olympus. Hope you have a great trip and stay safe.
Written September 26, 2017
imchrisporter
Alpine, California
Where can we park a 31 foot 5th-wheel trailer in the next few days? We don't need hook-ups. We would like to be close to the rain forest if possible.
Written April 2, 2017
There's a small shopping center Forks Outfitters on the south side of Forks that might let you stay there. There's also an RV park the Forks 101 RV Park which is across 101 from the outfitters on a side street.
Written April 3, 2017
Is it a worth visiting the Olympic national parks in mid-February? I wonder if it is sc enic and the roads are closed or not at that season. I couldn't find the information of this area relating to weather and road conditons on the national park website. I hate to miss this area but some people advise me to avoid traveling in February.
Written January 16, 2017
What is the address of the Olympic National Park Visitors center in Port Angeles?
Written September 17, 2016
The way you find the Huricane Ridge Visitors Center ti to take Race Street from the 101 (Left if coming from the east, right if coming from the west). Go about 15 blocks up tp E. Park. Go through that intersection and look for signs on your right for the Ranger Station. You will see it as you bear right and start up the hill. Iff you are over 62 remember to buy your LIFETIME pass for $10. Good for a car load. :0)
Written September 20, 2016
We have 5 to 7 days that we plan to explore Mt Olympus - would like to see the beauty of our National Park. What lodging would be best fir a hime base? What scenic drives, easy hikes, etc are there? Should we move hotels or stay in 1?
Written June 30, 2016
We visited the park last month and stayed at the Quillayute River Resort in Forks for the coastal and rain forest areas of the park. The resort was wonderful. It was a great stay for us to do exploring in that area. They have a kitchenette so we picked up breakfast and lunch foods and brought lunch with us when we headed out for the day. Restaurants in the areas of the rain forests are far and few between, but by evening when we would return, restaurants in Forks were quite good. When we visited the remainder of the park, we stayed in Port Angeles at the Olympic Lodge which was also very nice and centrally located for sightseeing and restaurants. Enjoy your visit, it's a wonderful park to see!
Written July 1, 2016
Our family would love to spend time in Mt Olympus but I have no idea where to stay during our visit. Is there 1 hotel (Lodge, Cottage, etc) or City, that could be a home base, so we would leave early go out for the day to explore & return? Or, is it better to move from one place to another? We have 5 to7 days to commit for this trip. Any reccomendation on where to stay or the Cities? I'd like to spend 2 days in Seattle then to Mt Olympus. What port would be the best to take over with our vehicle? What time of year is it best to visit? I'm assuming the Ferry transport your vehicle..is it best to have 4 wheel drive? Thank you
Written June 30, 2016
So far you have received some great suggestions. I would offer two recommendations for what they are worth. Take the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria for an overnight stay. This will be a highlight of your trip.
The other suggestion is to visit the Ho Rain Forest on the west coast and stay overnight at the Kalaloch Lodge. On your way there, stop at Rialto Beach and La Push.
At that point, return to Seattle via Aberdeen and Tacoma.
Written July 2, 2016
Clarence A
Port Angeles, Washington
How much of a discount can I receive on my access pass or gold card.
Written September 28, 2015
Not sure about discounts but if you have a National Parks pass you get in to all National Parks without having to pay the entrance fee
Written September 29, 2015
Clarence A
Port Angeles, Washington
How much discount will I receive with my access pass or the gold pass .
Written September 28, 2015
Your Golden Age Pass (which may no longer be available) is good in all National Parks.
Written September 29, 2015
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